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Old 02-14-2009, 11:00 PM
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Reading Book of the Month Club

Just wondering whether anybody is interested in a Book of the Month club. We would read a book at the same time and then post comments/critiques, etc.

We would need to hash out how to pick the book and the time limit for reading it, so this thread is really to find out if anybody is interested.

:thankee:
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Old 02-14-2009, 11:23 PM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

Maybe, but the problem would be finding a book we can all agree on. Also we get our books from The Book Depository in the UK so it takes a couple of weeks to get a book. And then I have to read the book. And then write about it. Damn, sounds like Uni. Can the first Book be Pathophysiology by McCance and Huether? You can all read it and tell me what it says. :lol:
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Old 02-14-2009, 11:27 PM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

I'd be interested. I'll try to think of some way of picking books.

One thing I found from being in other book clubs (not on-line ones) is that we'll want a mechanism of keeping people involved even if a particular book is not interesting to them. Also we'll need to attract new book club members, so we ought to run it in a way that doesn't intimidate newbies.
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Old 02-14-2009, 11:31 PM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

If we include some out-of-copyright classics, then we can download them for free from here.
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Old 02-14-2009, 11:32 PM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

All fair points, except for Deadlokd getting his books from the UK! Why?
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Old 02-15-2009, 12:43 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

Didn't some of FF do that a couple years ago? I seem to remember The Brothers Karamazov was one. I meant to join, but it took me too long to get around to it, and by the time I got the book everyone else was way ahead of me. So I moved on to something else and don't know how any of it turned out.

I could try to make more of an effort this time. ;)
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Old 02-15-2009, 12:53 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club


:reading:
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Old 02-15-2009, 01:02 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

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Originally Posted by Leesifer View Post
All fair points, except for Deadlokd getting his books from the UK! Why?
Even with the crap exchange rate they're still cheaper than books from Australian bookstores. And the postage is free and you get a bookmark with every book. I got two of my textbooks from them this semester and I saved $120 Australian. That's real money.
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Old 02-15-2009, 01:53 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

No non-fiction, right? :beg:
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Old 02-15-2009, 02:04 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

Quote:
Originally Posted by Deadlokd View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leesifer View Post
All fair points, except for Deadlokd getting his books from the UK! Why?
Even with the crap exchange rate they're still cheaper than books from Australian bookstores. And the postage is free and you get a bookmark with every book. I got two of my textbooks from them this semester and I saved $120 Australian. That's real money.
Don't you have public libraries in Australia?
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Old 02-15-2009, 02:09 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

I would be willing, except for one thing-I don't do tragic tearjerker types of books. Will not read them if I know they are a downer.

How about something small and classical to start, that most people would think was worth it from the historical point of view? Like Plato's Republic, or Machiavelli's The Prince, or Shakespear's The Tempest? One of the nice things about classical literature is that much of it is free on the net.
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Old 02-15-2009, 02:14 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

I have to at least agree about starting with small works. That way, we get a nice rhythm and feel for how we'll all "work" together before we tackle something longer.

As for the classics, I'll definitely have to use Cliffs Notes for them. I was amazed at how much more interesting MacBeth was when I understood it.
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Old 02-15-2009, 02:21 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

I would consider it. :yup: I do remember this being tried a few years ago, but then it petered out.

I think starting with a shorter book so that we can figure out how the whole thing will go before tackling something larger. To choose the book perhaps we can have some titles nominated and then have a poll among those who will participate. :shrug: At least to start.
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Old 02-15-2009, 02:58 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

The Cliff's Notes New Testament is actually excellent. I think it was written by atheists.
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  #15  
Old 02-15-2009, 02:59 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Porter View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deadlokd View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leesifer View Post
All fair points, except for Deadlokd getting his books from the UK! Why?
Even with the crap exchange rate they're still cheaper than books from Australian bookstores. And the postage is free and you get a bookmark with every book. I got two of my textbooks from them this semester and I saved $120 Australian. That's real money.
Don't you have public libraries in Australia?
Yup, we call 'em big city readin' houses.
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Old 02-15-2009, 02:59 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

I am up for a book of the month. :)

#2151
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  #17  
Old 02-15-2009, 03:05 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

Quote:
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I am up for a book of the month.
It's Dianetics. You start.
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Old 02-15-2009, 03:10 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

Quote:
Originally Posted by freemonkey
I seem to remember The Brothers Karamazov was one.
That was Hugo Holbling, IIRC, whose commentary was superb.
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Old 02-15-2009, 03:14 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

Quote:
Originally Posted by Deadlokd View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Porter View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deadlokd View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leesifer View Post
All fair points, except for Deadlokd getting his books from the UK! Why?
Even with the crap exchange rate they're still cheaper than books from Australian bookstores. And the postage is free and you get a bookmark with every book. I got two of my textbooks from them this semester and I saved $120 Australian. That's real money.
Don't you have public libraries in Australia?
Yup, we call 'em big city readin' houses.
I forget at times that the whole of Australia has a population of just one of our average states. Here, in an unincorporated area of Wisconsin, I have a little library I can pretty much get anything from, even out of state books. Also, there's a bookmobile that comes round on a weekly schedule.
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Old 02-15-2009, 03:15 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

How about a "banned book", like Huckleberry Finn?
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  #21  
Old 02-15-2009, 03:36 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

I like the idea of a banned book, but Huck Finn is a long one.
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  #22  
Old 02-15-2009, 04:36 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

American Psycho. Still banned in Queensland.
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Old 02-15-2009, 05:00 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

How about Candide by Voltaire? That one's short and trenchant.
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Old 02-15-2009, 05:10 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

Someone should be keeping a list. :yup:

Huckleberry Finn
American Psycho
Candide by Voltaire
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Old 02-15-2009, 05:16 AM
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Default Re: Book of the Month Club

Ooh, I like the Candide idea. It's been ages since I read it.
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